Joystiqhttp://www.joystiq.com
Joystiqhttp://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gifJoystiqhttp://www.joystiq.com
en-usCopyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/steam-broadcasting-grabs-popcorn-exits-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/steam-broadcasting-grabs-popcorn-exits-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/steam-broadcasting-grabs-popcorn-exits-beta/#comments
Valve added Steam Broadcasting to its PC distribution platform in an update this week, taking its livestreaming solution for games out of beta. Those that update Steam can now change their settings to determine whether to enable broadcasting and limit it to their friends list. Providing the streaming service is enabled, gameplay video will automatically broadcast when players start their games. Valve announced the Twitch alternative in December.

According to Steam's support page, the service will only broadcast gameplay video by default, though players can opt to stream a video of other apps on their computers, allowing for broadcasts such as instructional videos. It also records the audio that plays through the default speakers on the broadcaster's computer, so those hoping to include audio from another source will have to find a work-around for the time being. Head to your Steam friends list and select "watch game" to check the broadcasting service out.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadcastinggameplaylivestreamingmacpcsteamsteam-broadcastingstreamingtwitchupdatevalveTue, 20 Jan 2015 11:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/twitch-introduces-free-to-use-music-place-to-perform-tunes/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/twitch-introduces-free-to-use-music-place-to-perform-tunes/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/twitch-introduces-free-to-use-music-place-to-perform-tunes/#comments
Twitch introduced a library of music that is safe to use for broadcasting on the platform. The streaming service's new music section includes over 500 royalty-free tracks that broadcasters can feature in both live and archived videos. Notably, the songs "will not be flagged by the audio recognition system implemented in 2014 to protect audio copyright holders and Twitch broadcasters alike," according to Twitch.

"Our community has been vocal about the importance of music for their broadcasts and their love of music in general," Twitch's Chief Strategy Officer Colin Carrier said in the announcement. "By working with both established and upcoming record labels, we are now able to offer music for them to use that is cleared for live broadcasts and archiving." The streaming platform's audio recognition tech began muting archived broadcasts in August that seemingly contained "unauthorized third-party audio," which included many false-positive cases where genuine in-game audio was muted as well. The company's CEO Emmett Shear called those cases a mistake, introducing an appeals system for streamers to use.

Additionally, Twitch added "Music" to the platform's game directory, giving artists a space for "creating, performing and presenting original songs." Pending Twitch's approval, "certain established labels and artists" may also host "radio-style listening shows and broadcast large scale events, such as music festivals."

Under the publisher's rules, players may monetize footage from Microsoft Studios games if it was captured during normal gameplay, without the use of reverse engineering or hacking. Microsoft's rules additionally prohibit the use of gameplay footage to produce content that is pornographic, lewd, obscene, vulgar, discriminatory, or otherwise "objectionable."

"Whether an Item is 'objectionable' is up to us," the rules page states, "but you can expect us to be concerned if a significant number of people in the game's community or the public at large report the content as offensive."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lets-playmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosmonetizationstreamingtwitchxboxxbox-oneMon, 12 Jan 2015 20:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/sling-tv-to-stream-espn-tbs-other-networks-on-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/sling-tv-to-stream-espn-tbs-other-networks-on-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/sling-tv-to-stream-espn-tbs-other-networks-on-xbox-one/#comments
Dish Network has announced that the Xbox One will be the first console to receive its new Sling TV media service.

Revealed yesterday at the Consumer Electronics Show, Sling TV offers viewers access to live streams of popular networks including ESPN, Cartoon Network, the Disney Channel, HGTV and the Food Network, among others. It does require a $20 per month subscription fee, but that's a far less expensive option than signing up for a cable subscription package for those who don't care about the all those other channels and just want to watch Sportscenter or whatever delightful cooking program Alton Brown is hosting this season.

Notably absent from the Xbox Wire announcement is any word on when Sling TV - which is currently in closed beta testing on PC - will reach the Xbox One. Instead, we are told it will arrive in "the coming weeks."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dish-networkmediamicrosoftsling-tvslingtvstreamingtelevisiontvxbox-oneWed, 07 Jan 2015 17:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/17/report-microsoft-building-game-streaming-tech-arcadia/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/17/report-microsoft-building-game-streaming-tech-arcadia/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/17/report-microsoft-building-game-streaming-tech-arcadia/#comments
Microsoft has jobopenings within a new cloud-based Operating Systems Group, and one of the listings says the project is called "Arcadia." ZDNet reports that Arcadia is a new streaming system built on the Azure cloud and is poised to replace Microsoft's Rio game-streaming tech. Arcadia will stream games and apps to Microsoft devices, the site says. Halo 5 on your Windows Phone, anyone?

One of Microsoft's job listings reads, in part, as follows: "The new Operating Systems Group (OSG) Streaming team is leveraging the cloud to bring premium and unique experiences to Microsoft's core platforms. These experiences take advantage of a new geo-distributed massively scaling service to redefine what is possible on today's devices. The client team is building the user facing application(s), bridging the service and devices together seamlessly. Our team is a small but growing and dedicated to solving one of Microsoft's biggest business challenges in a creative fashion."

Both job listings note that experience with iOS and Android app development is "a plus." As Engadget points out, this technology is most likely a long way off, since the development team isn't even finalized yet.

Sony has its own game-streaming system, PlayStation Now, and that's in beta on PS4, Vita and PS TV, well, now.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadiaazurecloudkinectmicrosoftmobilereportstreamingxboxxbox-oneWed, 17 Dec 2014 21:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/02/steam-infiltrates-twitch-territory-with-steam-broadcasting/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/02/steam-infiltrates-twitch-territory-with-steam-broadcasting/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/02/steam-infiltrates-twitch-territory-with-steam-broadcasting/#commentsSteam Broadcasting allows players to stream their live gameplay to friends, strangers and any Steam user between, without any third-party programs required. To stream a game, simply start playing. Players are able to keep their gameplay private, too.

The first time a friend requests to watch your live game, you'll see the broadcast privacy settings, with choices to allow friends to watch, request to watch, receive invites to watch, or to allow anyone to watch your games. Choosing "Anyone can watch my games" makes your stream appear on that game's Hub.

"You'll receive a toast when a friend either requests to watch or starts watching your game," the Steam Broadcasting FAQ reads. "At any time you can see a list of viewers from the Steam overlay broadcast box, or if you're watching your own broadcast, from the top of the chat."

There's no option to record broadcasts on Steam yet. Those in the Steam Client Beta can try out Steam Broadcasting right now.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadcastlivelive-streamLiveStreammacpcSTEAMsteam-broadcastingstreamingtwitchvalveTue, 02 Dec 2014 14:12:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/20/hbo-go-app-arrives-on-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/20/hbo-go-app-arrives-on-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/20/hbo-go-app-arrives-on-xbox-one/#comments
HBO launched its HBO Go app on Xbox One today, finally allowing owners to stream episodes from shows like True Detective and Game of Thrones. The network also offers a number of films, such as its documentary on gaming addiction, Love Child. The app is Kinect compatible, so viewers can navigate the network's streaming selections with their voice or gestures.

HBO's app was one of 35 announced for Microsoft's platform in June that are expected to launch by the end of the year. Of course, HBO Go is available to those with a subscription; stand-alone streaming subscriptions for HBO will first be available in 2015. The app also requires authentication with an eligible TV provider, a list of which can be found on Microsoft's announcement page.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appgame-of-throneshbohbo-gokinectmicrosoftmoviesstreamingtelevisiontrue-detectivetvxboxxbox-oneThu, 20 Nov 2014 09:40:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/13/cod-advanced-warfare-most-streamed-game-of-2014-on-twitch/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/13/cod-advanced-warfare-most-streamed-game-of-2014-on-twitch/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/13/cod-advanced-warfare-most-streamed-game-of-2014-on-twitch/#commentsCall of Duty: Advanced Warfare is apparently as fun to watch as it is to play, given that players spent 5.4 million hours watching Twitch streams of the game in its first week. That figure came from Variety, which noted that over 75,000 broadcasters streamed gameplay footage of Advanced Warfare on Twitch, resulting in more than 26 million views by six million people across all videos during the week.

As Twitch confirmed via Twitter, Advanced Warfare became the most streamed console game on Twitch of the year "based on launch week comparisons." The latest Call of Duty dethroned Destiny, which saw five million unique viewers during its introductory week in September. The streaming platform, which was acquired by Amazon for nearly $1 billion in August, has in fact seen better weeks: After inking a three-year deal to become the Electronic Entertainment Expo's official streaming partner in March, 12 million viewers tuned in to Twitch during E3 2014 in June.

Update: As a point of clarification, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was the console game with the biggest launch week of the year on Twitch based on the number of streamers, but has not been confirmed as the most streamed game of the year on the platform. We've updated the article and headline to reflect this.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionbroadcastbroadcastingCall-of-Dutycall-of-duty-advanced-warfarelivestreamingSledgeHammersledgehammer-gamesstreamingtwitchThu, 13 Nov 2014 21:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/12/playstation-now-gets-mirrors-edge-mass-effect-2-more-next-mon/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/12/playstation-now-gets-mirrors-edge-mass-effect-2-more-next-mon/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/12/playstation-now-gets-mirrors-edge-mass-effect-2-more-next-mon/#comments
EA will bring games from its catalog to Sony's video game streaming service PlayStation Now starting next month. As of December 2, five of EA's games will be available to stream starting "around $1 per day," according to PlayStation Blog. The games being added to PlayStation Now are: Mirror's Edge, Mass Effect 2, Dead Space 3, NBA Jam On Fire Edition and Bejeweled 3.

Sony kicked off the open beta for its PlayStation Now service in July on PS4 before rolling its open beta phases out for PS3 in September, later arriving on Vita as well as PS TV in October. The streaming service will reach Europe in 2015, with the UK slated to get access to the first beta in the region. EA continues to find ways to leverage its catalog on digital platforms, as it kicked off its own subscription-based service on Xbox One in August, EA Access. Sony previously evaluated EA Access and determined that it "does not bring the kind of value PlayStation customers have come to expect," leading to the service's Xbox One exclusivity.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bejeweled-3dead-space-3EAElectronic-Artsmass-effect-2Mirrors-Edgenba-jam-on-fire-editionplaystationplaystation-nowplaystation-vitaps-nowps3ps4SONYstreamingvitaWed, 12 Nov 2014 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/23/awesome-games-done-quick-charity-drive-returns-january-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/23/awesome-games-done-quick-charity-drive-returns-january-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/23/awesome-games-done-quick-charity-drive-returns-january-4/#comments
The good people behind the Games Done Quick charity fundraiser have announced that their next Awesome Games Done Quick event will take place between January 4 and January 10, with proceeds again going to the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

For those unaware, Awesome Games Done Quick is a days-long exhibition in which some of the world's most talented speedrunners utterly destroy their games of choice for the amusement of the streaming public. Watching the event is free for anyone with Twitch access, but Games Done Quick does tidy business raising money through donations. A January 2014 Awesome Games Done Quick stream managed to pull in over $1 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

As the event's still months away, the final details and full schedule of exactly what will be streamed at the upcoming Awesome Games Done Quick event has yet to be finalized. However, if you're not allergic to spreadsheets, you can find a current outline of the event on Google Docs.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesome-games-done-quickcharitygames-done-quickstreamingThu, 23 Oct 2014 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/23/free-xbox-music-streaming-to-stop-in-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/23/free-xbox-music-streaming-to-stop-in-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/23/free-xbox-music-streaming-to-stop-in-december/#comments
The free music streaming feature for Xbox Music will be discontinued on December 1, Microsoft revealed on an Xbox Support page for the service. The company said it is "focusing Xbox Music to deliver the ultimate music purchase and subscription service experience for our customers" with Xbox Music Pass, its $10/month music streaming plan.

Announced at E3 2012, Xbox Music arrived in October of that year as a Zune replacement and Spotify competitor. It took nearly a year before the service reached iOS and Android, just two months before Microsoft began closing down the Zune Marketplace. Those interested in trying out the paid music streaming service can sign up for a 30-day trial on Microsoft's site.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androiddiscontinuedfreeiosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilemusicmusic-streamingstreamingxboxxbox-musicxbox-oneThu, 23 Oct 2014 11:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/16/snap-up-xbox-ones-october-system-update-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/16/snap-up-xbox-ones-october-system-update-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/16/snap-up-xbox-ones-october-system-update-now/#comments
Microsoft rolled out the new October system update for the Xbox One, which we've verified is available to download now. As detailed last month, the new firmware overhauls the Snap feature, which lets you view a main and side window on screen simultaneously. Now, bringing up the Snap Center brings links to Friends, Achievements, Party, Messages and Game DVR apps, as well as a wee battery icon and clock. Also, double-tapping the Xbox button brings up a Snap quick menu, cutting down the hassle of bringing apps in and out.

Snap now supports the Messages and Friends apps, with the latter spruced up including the addition of GamerScore leaderboards. The boards are based on your GamerHaul over the last 30 days, so long-term Achievement hunters just have to console themselves with their six-figure scores. Or, they could use the new captioning feature when sharing Achievements to rub it in friends' faces - you know, things like "Hah, look at 50G you're never getting, bub" or "I spent the last 42 hours getting this cheevo and I regret nothing!"

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsDLNAfirmwarefriendsmicrosoftsnapstreamingxbox-oneThu, 16 Oct 2014 07:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/15/standalone-hbo-subscription-service-launches-in-2015/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/15/standalone-hbo-subscription-service-launches-in-2015/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/15/standalone-hbo-subscription-service-launches-in-2015/#comments
Get your Game of Thrones on. HBO will be available as a standalone streaming subscription in 2015, CEO Richard Plepler announced today. During an investor meeting, Plepler cited the 10 million homes that are broadband-only - meaning they don't have a cable subscription - and noted that this figure is expected to grow.

"That is a large and growing opportunity that should no longer be left untapped," he said in a press release. "It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO. So, in 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States. We will work with our current partners. And, we will explore models with new partners. All in, there are 80 million homes that do not have HBO and we will use all means at our disposal to go after them."

There's no mention of price just yet. HBO has been experimenting with web-based options for a while, and its existing streaming service (tied to a cable subscription), HBO Go, is available on Xbox 360 and PS3, with plans to roll out for Xbox One and PS4. In the US, gaming consoles are the most popular way to access streaming television and movie content, beating out smart TVs and set-top boxes. Roughly 46 percent of broadband-connected homes use a console to access non-gaming content online, Home Media Magazine reported last month.

HBO's television offerings include True Detective, The Newsroom, Boardwalk Empire and, of course, Game of Thrones.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hbohbo-gomicrosoftpcplaystationps3ps4streamingxboxxbox-oneWed, 15 Oct 2014 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/03/twitch-seeks-transparency-for-promotional-broadcasts/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/03/twitch-seeks-transparency-for-promotional-broadcasts/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/03/twitch-seeks-transparency-for-promotional-broadcasts/#comments
Twitch will begin instituting new policies that clearly label sponsored broadcasts on its channels, the video streaming platform announced on its blog. "We want complete transparency and unwavering authenticity with all content and promotions that have a sponsor relationship," Twitch wrote. Copy and graphics for future Twitch-driven campaigns will now have labels to indicate that they are promotional in nature.

For instance, the front-page video carousel will include a new "sponsored" graphic when applicable, and Twitch will add sponsored labels to its content newsletters as well. Future tweets from the streaming platform's official accounts will also include language that indicates if the broadcast is promotional as well. Twitch isn't the only company opting for more transparency in how sponsored content is listed; Valve introduced new policies for Steam Curators to openly disclose paid recommendations this week as well.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LiveStreampaidpromotionpromotionalsponsoredstreamingstreamstransparencytransparenttwitchtwitch-tvFri, 03 Oct 2014 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/18/destiny-attracts-5-million-unique-viewers-on-twitch-in-first-wee/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/18/destiny-attracts-5-million-unique-viewers-on-twitch-in-first-wee/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/18/destiny-attracts-5-million-unique-viewers-on-twitch-in-first-wee/#commentsDestiny drew in 5 million unique viewers and 20 million total views on Twitch last week, making it the "biggest console game launch of the year" on the streaming service, Activision said in a press release. Viewers watched 240 million minutes of Destiny gameplay during the week.

It's difficult to directly compare these numbers to other console game launches on Twitch, since those stats aren't readily available. "We can't provide those numbers since it is up to our partners to determine what they want to publicize about their channel's engagement," a Twitch spokesperson told Joystiq.

However, there are Twitch engagement numbers for the Xbox One and PS4: Titanfall was the game most often broadcast on Twitch via Xbox One in its first month, with 10 million minutes of streaming. Players broadcast 23 million minutes of gameplay in Xbox One's first month with Twitch, and on launch day, Xbox One players accounted for 30 percent of all Twitch streams. In its first month, PS4 players accounted for 10 percent of all Twitch streams, with 20 million minutes of live broadcasting.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>destinymicrosoftplaystationps3ps4streamingtwitchxboxxbox-oneThu, 18 Sep 2014 13:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/15/pewdiepie-joins-mlg-tv-with-exclusive-broken-streams/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/15/pewdiepie-joins-mlg-tv-with-exclusive-broken-streams/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/15/pewdiepie-joins-mlg-tv-with-exclusive-broken-streams/#comments
PewDiePie, the internet's most famous YouTuber (this sentence wouldn't have made sense 10 years ago), has signed a deal to bring episodes of his "BroKen" podcast to launch exclusively on MLG.tv, with the premiere stream tonight. "BroKen" stars PewDiePie - normal name Felix Kjellberg - and fellow streamer CinnamonToastKen.

"Our vision for MLG.tv is to make it the home for premium content and producers like PewDiePie and his show 'BroKen,'" MLG VP of Programming Ryan Wyatt said. "This type of programming deal with PewDiePie, one of the biggest stars in digital media, is a great example of the premier talent we have joining the growing MLG.tv line-up."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brokencinnamontoastkenmlgmlg.tvpewdiepiepodcaststreamingyoutubeyoutuberMon, 15 Sep 2014 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/13/rumor-microsoft-testing-browser-connected-xbox-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/13/rumor-microsoft-testing-browser-connected-xbox-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/13/rumor-microsoft-testing-browser-connected-xbox-games/#comments
In the future, you may not need a big black box with Xbox branding to play Xbox games, according to tech news blog Neowin; the site reports that Microsoft is currently testing the ability for users of an as-of-yet-unannounced service to play Xbox games via their web browser. If details are accurate, the service will function similar to OnLive, the cloud-based platform that renders games via its own hardware before streaming them to users at home.

According to an unnamed source, Xbox 360 titles and the 360 dashboard will both run in-browser, with games outputting at about 60 frames per second. Neowin reports that Xbox One games are also in the works, but cautions that - like many tech research projects - the service may never make it into the public's hands.

Joystiq has reached out to Microsoft for comment. In the meantime, we'll keep an eye on this rumor and let you know if anything changes.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudmicrosoftpcrumorstreamingxboxxbox-oneSat, 13 Sep 2014 12:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/10/will-ferrell-battles-cancer-with-streaming-gameplay-duel/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/10/will-ferrell-battles-cancer-with-streaming-gameplay-duel/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/10/will-ferrell-battles-cancer-with-streaming-gameplay-duel/#comments
Like so many ichthyoids before him, comedian Will Ferrell will soon be playing video games over Twitch to entertain the online masses. Unlike those greedy fish, however, Ferrell's efforts are altruistic.

"It's no secret the best gamers in the world have wanted a piece of me for years," Ferrell stated in his official announcement. "Guys like CaptainSparklez are gunning for me. I think he might be an actual wizard and he's looking for blood. I told them I'd give them the honor of competing against me with one small condition: we raise a whole bunch of money for a great cause like helping kids with cancer." In lieu of an ongoing stream, Ferrell has started an Indiegogo campaign that seeks to raise $375,000. According to the crowdfunding site, assuming the goal is reached by October 26, one lucky donor will be selected to fly out to the Twitch offices in San Francisco where they'll go head to head against Ferrell in an as yet undetermined game. As you'd expect, this event will be broadcast live over the Internet.

For full details and all the information you need to enter this charity sweepstakes, visit Indiegogo. If you'd rather pick up the details from a bearded Will Ferrell surrounded by pizza boxes and stereotypical Chinese takeout containers, click through the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charityCrowdFundingindiegogostreamingtwitchwill-ferrellWed, 10 Sep 2014 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/06/justin-tv-shuts-down-as-twitch-goes-all-in-on-video-game-broadca/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/06/justin-tv-shuts-down-as-twitch-goes-all-in-on-video-game-broadca/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/06/justin-tv-shuts-down-as-twitch-goes-all-in-on-video-game-broadca/#comments
Twitch shut down Justin.tv this week, putting an end to the streaming platform's seven-year run, as the company is now focusing its resources on Twitch. Videos on Justin.tv are no longer available to view, and those with active premium pro accounts should receive an email about getting refunded.

The shift in focus has been in the works for months, as the company formerly known as Justin.tv changed its corporate name to Twitch in February, the same time Twitch achieved one million active monthly broadcasters. Those with Justin.tv accounts that would like to move over to Twitch need to fill out a form on Twitch's site, though all requests must be received by September 5. However, Justin.tv broadcasters' videos are lost forever; VOD and video archiving support were removed on June 15.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadcastbroadcastingJustin-TVjustintvLiveStreamLiveStreamingshutdownstreamstreamingtwitchtwitch-tvWed, 06 Aug 2014 10:05:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/31/playstation-now-subscription-option-definitely-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/31/playstation-now-subscription-option-definitely-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/31/playstation-now-subscription-option-definitely-in-the-works/#comments
With PlayStation Now ready to enter its open beta today, Sony's Jack Buser answered calls for a subscription model by saying it's "definitely something in the works." The director of the game-streaming program elaborated on the PS Blog, writing, "...we've heard you loud and clear for an update on a PS Now subscription option and want to reassure you that we are working on it."

To recap, PlayStation Now lets players stream PS3 games from Sony's cloud servers to PS4, and other systems in the future. Currently the beta only offers rental options, with players able to access games for either 4 hours, 7 days, 30 days or 90 days. As displayed in a new video, there are different prices for different games - Vigil Games' Darksiders, for example, is $3 for 4 hours, $6 for a week, $8 for 30 days and $15 for 90.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betagaikaiplaystationplaystation-nowplaystation-vitaps3ps4PSNrelease-datesonystreamingvitaThu, 31 Jul 2014 09:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/24/report-google-deal-to-acquire-twitch-for-1-billion-is-so-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/24/report-google-deal-to-acquire-twitch-for-1-billion-is-so-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/24/report-google-deal-to-acquire-twitch-for-1-billion-is-so-on/#comments
Google has acquired Twitch for $1 billion, Venture Beat reports, citing people "familiar with the matter." This follows a report in May that Google (via YouTube) was in talks to acquire Twitch. Twitch offered no comment on the new claim.

Venture Beat notes that details are scarce on the deal and the precise purchase price is still unknown, but early Twitch investors "are pleased that they will be getting significant returns that are multiple times the amount they originally invested."

Reports from May place YouTube at the head of the acquisition. Twitch, after all, is a live game streaming site, and YouTube handles all things in online video.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitiongoogleliveLiveStreamstreamingtwitchtwitch-tvyoutubeThu, 24 Jul 2014 18:11:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/22/games-and-twitch-at-the-heart-of-nvidias-shield-tablet/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/22/games-and-twitch-at-the-heart-of-nvidias-shield-tablet/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/22/games-and-twitch-at-the-heart-of-nvidias-shield-tablet/#comments
Nvidia believes the market is ready for a specialty tablet that can run Unreal Engine 4 with ease, play your PC games remotely and broadcast your every demise in Spelunky. Built around its Tegra K1 processor and partnered with a wireless controller, Nvidia's Shield Tablet is that specialty product. It plays native Android games, streams your large Steam library (aren't they all inevitably large?) and offers a quick route to Twitch.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidmobilenvidianvidia-shieldnvidia-shield-tabletpcshield-tabletstreamingtrine-2twitchTue, 22 Jul 2014 09:01:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/17/nfl-sunday-ticket-streaming-on-playstation-xbox-platforms-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/17/nfl-sunday-ticket-streaming-on-playstation-xbox-platforms-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/17/nfl-sunday-ticket-streaming-on-playstation-xbox-platforms-this/#comments
A promotion page for DirecTV's new NFL Sunday Ticket packages surfaced this week which appears to offer streaming-only options without the need for satellite service. The catch, as Engadget points out, is that the packages for NFL Sunday Ticket.TV are limited to viewers who live in an area where DirecTV service is not already available, who live in the New York City, San Francisco or Philadelphia metro area or who attend one of ten specific universities.

Last year, NFL fans were able to enjoy NFL Sunday Ticket by pre-ordering a copy of Madden NFL 25's special anniversary edition, as opposed to DirecTV offering standard streaming options through game consoles. This year's packages start at $200 for those using a computer, tablet or phone, increasing to $240 for those looking to stream live, out-of-market NFL games through their Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360 and PS3 systems. Neither of those packages includes access to the NFL RedZone channel however, which is available in the $330 NFL Sunday Ticket.TV "Max" package, in addition to its Fantasy Zone service and the ability to stream from any compatible device.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DirecTVfootballmicrosoftNFLnfl-sunday-ticketplaystationps3ps4sportsstreamingxboxxbox-oneThu, 17 Jul 2014 11:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/08/dragon-quest-x-coming-to-3ds-streams-game-onto-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/08/dragon-quest-x-coming-to-3ds-streams-game-onto-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/08/dragon-quest-x-coming-to-3ds-streams-game-onto-system/#comments
Square Enix announced it's winging Dragon Quest X to the 3DS in Japan, with the MMORPG due for landing on September 4. As Siliconera reports, the port streams the game from a server onto the 3DS rather than running it natively, similar to services like PlayStation Now and OnLive, and in the same vein of the mobile versions released last year.

While the streaming tech means the handheld's 3D capabilities aren't usable, the game should look comparably strong on 3DS, similar to Remote Play on Vita. That all depends on the tech working as planned, but Square Enix does have the iOS and Android ports to draw experience from. Meanwhile, a prototype screenshot shows Wii U controls tied to the 3DS touchscreen, including the ZL and ZR buttons, the right analog stick and keyboard inputs.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>far-cry-4microsoftpcplaystationps3ps4streamingtwitchxboxxbox-oneMon, 23 Jun 2014 13:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/19/summer-games-done-quick-charity-speedrun-marathon-kicks-off-mond/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/19/summer-games-done-quick-charity-speedrun-marathon-kicks-off-mond/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/19/summer-games-done-quick-charity-speedrun-marathon-kicks-off-mond/#comments
Speed Demos Archive, an online collective and host for video game speedruns, announced that its next streamed charity marathon will begin this Sunday and extend through June 29, in partnership with SpeedRunsLive and Twitch.

Next week's Summer Games Done Quick marathon will raise money for the Doctors Without Borders charity, with viewer donations going toward a number of featured incentives, challenges, and prize raffles. The organization's January event Awesome Games Done Quick raised more than $1 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation, attracting over 100,000 simultaneous viewers during peak hours.

Featured games include The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Octodad: Dadliest Catch, and a grueling seven-hour trek through Final Fantasy 6. A full schedule is available here.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>games-done-quickmarathonspeed-demos-archivespeedrunstreamingsummer-games-done-quick-2014twitchThu, 19 Jun 2014 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/17/youtube-wunderkind-pewdiepie-earns-over-4-million-each-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/17/youtube-wunderkind-pewdiepie-earns-over-4-million-each-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/17/youtube-wunderkind-pewdiepie-earns-over-4-million-each-year/#comments
If you're contemplating a career change, you may want to look into playing video games and shouting into a camera, as doing just that has made Felix Kjellberg a millionaire.

Better known by his phonetically troublesome online handle "PewDiePie," Kjellberg has turned online video game streaming into a massively lucrative venture. According to the Wall Street Journal, the PewDiePie brand now attracts more than $4 million each year in ad revenue, thanks to the 27 million subscribers who follow Kjellberg's YouTube channel, where the 24-year-old frequently uploads videos of himself playing (and swearing at) various games.

Kjellberg attributes his success not to dumb luck or having capitalized on the streaming games trend at the exact right moment, but to a more personal touch that comes through in his videos. "Unlike many professionally produced shows, I think I've established a much closer contact with my viewers, breaking the wall between the viewer and what's behind the screen," he told the Wall Street Journal. "What I and other YouTubers do is a very different thing, it's almost like hanging around and watching your pal play games."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>felix-kjellbergmoneypewdiepiestreamingyoutubeTue, 17 Jun 2014 18:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/10/watch-nintendos-e3-2014-livestream-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/10/watch-nintendos-e3-2014-livestream-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/10/watch-nintendos-e3-2014-livestream-here/#comments
Nintendo will reveal the future of the Wii U and 3DS today in a special E3 livestream at 9:00AM PT (12:00PM ET), and we'll be on hand to dish out commentary and context in our liveblog. Best of all, there's no saying what will be announced today!

Will Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime announced a new Mario game? Perhaps Nintendo will unveil a new game in the Mario series, or we'll learn that Mario is returning to the living room. (Really Nintendo, can Samus come out to play? We miss her.) Follow along here and on our liveblog to find out! Those following along internationally can check out Nintendo UK's stream as well.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dse3-2014LiveStreammarionintendonintendo-directnintendo-e3-2014streamingwii-uTue, 10 Jun 2014 11:40:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/09/watch-playstations-e3-2014-press-conference-over-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/09/watch-playstations-e3-2014-press-conference-over-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/09/watch-playstations-e3-2014-press-conference-over-here/#comments
PlayStation's E3 2014 press conference will be live on this very page at 6:00 p.m. PT (9:00 p.m. ET). When paired with our liveblog, you have a torrential downpour of PlayStation news and footage. Now that the PlayStation 4 had a few months of life, it's time to talk about games, there's a pretty good chance the show will include some announcements about new video games for PS4 and Vita.

Does that mean new entries in popular PlayStation brands such as Uncharted or LittleBigPlanet? Let's find out together! We'll keep our running commentary going on our liveblog of the event, so we suggest you dedicate two tabs to us this evening.

Update: Sony is done showing off its suite of upcoming games and products, but if you're just catching up, we've been cataloging its many announcements.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2014liveLiveStreamplaystationplaystation-vitapress-conferenceps3ps4SONYsony-e3-2014streamingvitaMon, 09 Jun 2014 20:57:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/09/watch-eas-e3-2014-press-conference-right-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/09/watch-eas-e3-2014-press-conference-right-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/09/watch-eas-e3-2014-press-conference-right-here/#comments
Find out what new games are coming from EA with us on our liveblog and in video form on this page. The action begins at 12:00 p.m. PT (3:00 p.m. ET).

The publisher's E3 2014 press conference in Los Angeles will feature games like Dragon Age: Inquisition and Battlefield Hardline, spotlight the latest entries in the Madden, FIFA and NHL series, and maybe dish out some fresh information on the next Mass Effect game from BioWare or Mirror's Edge 2.

Update: Show's over, folks! Feel free to check out all of EA's big announcements and rewatch the press event above.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battlefieldbattlefield-hardlinedragon-age-inquisitione3e3-2014EAEA-SportsElectronic-Artsfifa-15LiveStreammadden-nfl-15microsoftnhl-15pcplaystationpress-conferenceps3ps4streamingthe-sims-4xboxxbox-oneMon, 09 Jun 2014 14:48:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/02/twitch-schedules-its-e3-broadcasts/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/02/twitch-schedules-its-e3-broadcasts/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/02/twitch-schedules-its-e3-broadcasts/#comments
Video game streaming platform Twitch signed a three-year deal in March to be the official streaming partner of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). While we'll have wall-to-wall coverage of next week's avalanche of announcements and other gaming goodies, those looking to watch live broadcasts of gaming's biggest annual event should check out Twitch's now-available broadcast schedule, found after the break.

Twitch will kick off its coverage on the morning of Monday, June 9 with Microsoft's media briefing at 9:30 am PT (12:30 pm ET), later showing EA's press conference at 1:00 pm PT (4:00 pm ET). Following EA's "post show" is the reveal of a new game from Bethesda at 2:30 pm PT (5:30 pm ET). "Conference day" continues Monday with Ubisoft at 3:00 pm PT (6:00 pm ET) and Sony at 6:00 p.m. PT (9:00 pm ET).

Nintendo's livestream-only E3 event leads the way on Tuesday, June 10 at 9:00 am PT (12:00 pm ET), followed by a handful of as-yet-unannounced game streams throughout the day from publishers like Deep Silver, Ubisoft, Microsoft Studios and Nintendo. Tuesday concludes with Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. invitational tournament at 4:00 pm PT (7:00 pm ET). Wednesday, June 11 and Thursday, June 12 include other unannounced games from Microsoft Studios, Square Enix, EA, Warner Bros., Crytek, Nintendo, Sony, Tecmo Koei and Ubisoft, with Twitch's final E3 stream, 2K's Evolve tournament, set for Thursday at 4:00 pm PT (7:00 pm ET).

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsbroadcaste3e3-2014LiveStreammicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4schedulestreamingtwitchtwitch-tvvitawii-uxboxxbox-oneMon, 02 Jun 2014 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/28/watch-sonys-e3-2014-conference-on-the-silver-screen/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/28/watch-sonys-e3-2014-conference-on-the-silver-screen/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/28/watch-sonys-e3-2014-conference-on-the-silver-screen/#comments
Sony is looking to grab additional eyeballs by broadcasting its E3 2014 press event to more than 40 movie theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The "PlayStation E3 Experience" on the silver screen will include a special 30-minute show after the press event hosted by Geoff Keighley, featuring extended video game footage and interviews with developers. Without spoiling the surprise, Sony also teased door prizes for those that attend the viewing at one of the theaters.

PlayStation's E3 press conference is scheduled for Monday, June 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT), with the show itself slated to begin a half hour later. Tickets are free, but those interested in attending should register soon before spaces fill up. The PlayStation Blog has a list of the venues hosting the viewing parties.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2014Geoff-Keighleymovie-theatersplaystationplaystation-e3-experienceplaystation-vitaps3ps4SONYstreamstreamingvitaWed, 28 May 2014 18:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/21/steam-in-home-streaming-is-live-for-all-users/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/21/steam-in-home-streaming-is-live-for-all-users/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/21/steam-in-home-streaming-is-live-for-all-users/#comments
Steam's in-home streaming service is available to all users starting today - for now, the hosting computer must be a Windows PC, but Valve says SteamOS, Linux and Mac OS X hosting is coming soon. Users with multiple computers on the same network are now able to play PC games on lower-end computers, and play PC games on Mac OS X, SteamOS or Linux.

Yes, Dark Souls 2 on your Macbook Air.

To stream, users must log into Steam on a Windows PC (for now), and then log into Steam on another computer on the same network. Then check out your Steam library and start streaming some games. Once a game is installed on one computer, there's no need to install it on the other streaming computers. As Steam describes it:

"When you play a game using In-Home Streaming, video and audio are sent through your home network from your high-end gaming PC to another device in your home. From here, your keyboard, mouse, and controller input is sent back to the remote computer."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>in-home-streamingmacpcSTEAMsteam-in-home-streamingstreamingvalveWed, 21 May 2014 14:54:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/19/playstation-now-streaming-service-enters-ps4-beta-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/19/playstation-now-streaming-service-enters-ps4-beta-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/19/playstation-now-streaming-service-enters-ps4-beta-tomorrow/#comments
The closed beta phase of PlayStation Now for PS4 will begin tomorrow, Sony announced. The service's beta program has been available for PS3 after invites went out to players in late January.

PlayStation Now was announced in January as a service that allows players to stream PS3 games to their compatible systems like they would a video on platforms like YouTube and Netflix. The service was originally expected to include PS One and PS2 games, though Sony has since been mum on the ability to stream classics. A previous rumor indicated that backwards compatibility for those consoles could be added to the PS4.

PlayStation Now will launch this year for PS4, PS3, Vita and "select" 2014 Bravia TVs. Sony is expanding its PS3 beta program to a "broader audience" soon, so those interested in testing the streaming platform can register on Sony's site.

A new update has enabled PS4 remote play functionality for the PlayStation Vita TV, Sony's tiny box that hosts select games from the Vita and past PlayStation consoles on a user's television. As demonstrated by Kotaku, the update is live in Japan and obtainable through an Asian PlayStation account. Kotaku notes the presence of input lag though, which was troublesome enough to hinder precision-based gameplay, such as nailing headshots on citizens in Infamous: Second Son.

The PS4 remote play feature was discussed during the Vita TV's reveal, but we're all still waiting on a decision from Sony as to whether the device will reach the Western audience. Prior to the Vita TV's launch in Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House said that Sony was "very encouraged" by the Western audience's response to the device. Sony Japan executive Masayasu Ito also said Sony would have to "watch the environment and identify what other services are available" in the US and European markets before making a decision on localizing the Vita TV.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationplaystation-vitaps4remote-playstreamingvitaSat, 17 May 2014 10:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/02/reuters-ea-nearing-deal-to-stream-games-to-comcast-tvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/02/reuters-ea-nearing-deal-to-stream-games-to-comcast-tvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/02/reuters-ea-nearing-deal-to-stream-games-to-comcast-tvs/#comments
EA and mass media company Comcast are close to signing a deal that would make EA-published games available on Comcast's X1 television operating system, Reuters reports. The X1 is an HTML5-based streaming platform for TVs, offering apps, internet, cloud services and DVR.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comcastEAstreamingtelevisiontvFri, 02 May 2014 16:55:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/02/twitch-teams-with-operation-supply-drop-for-military-charity/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/02/twitch-teams-with-operation-supply-drop-for-military-charity/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/02/twitch-teams-with-operation-supply-drop-for-military-charity/#comments
Video game broadcasting platform Twitch is partnering with Operation Supply Drop for the 24-hour charitable game streaming marathon 8-Bit Salute. The marathon is entering its third year and will be held May 17 - 18, with donations raised during 8-Bit Salute used to fund video game care packages for both combat-zone deployed troops in the military as well as those recovering in military hospitals. Past funds from Operation Supply Drop include Operation: Dragon Punch in September 2011, which aided a squad Northern Afghanistan.

Twitch will promote the event and encourage its "top broadcasters" to participate as well. The announcement mentions a few Twitch partners that have already pledged their support of 8-Bit Salute, such The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog and gaming headset manufacturer Astro Gaming. Viewers will have the opportunity to win prizes during the marathon via Operation Supply Drop's website. Those looking to participate in this year's 8-Bit Salute event can register here.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-bit-saluteastroAstro-GamingcharitylivestreamingmarathonNaughty-Dogoperation-supply-dropstreamingthe-last-of-ustwitchFri, 02 May 2014 13:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/26/report-twitch-viewership-beats-espn-wwe-streaming-sites/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/26/report-twitch-viewership-beats-espn-wwe-streaming-sites/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/26/report-twitch-viewership-beats-espn-wwe-streaming-sites/#commentsTwitch is the number one site for live streaming video content in the United States, according to video solutions company Qwilt. The company's data shows Twitch leading by a large margin: it currently possesses 43.6 percent of all live streaming viewership, while WWE - its closest competitor - pulls in 17.7 percent. ESPN only managed 6.3 percent.

Qwilt describes Twitch as "Yankee Stadium, Lambeau Field, Madison Square Garden, Estadia Do Maracana and Wembley all rolled into one" on its site. Hyperbole? Maybe, but then, according the Qwilt's data, Twitch was ranked in the top five video entertainment sites (which includes services like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu) in not just the US, but the UK, Brazil, Taiwan, Peru and Thailand as well.

We have nothing witty to end this on. Them's some impressive numbers, any way you slice it.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyticsqwiltstreamingtwitchSat, 26 Apr 2014 21:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/17/japan-gets-niconico-ps4-streaming-on-april-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/17/japan-gets-niconico-ps4-streaming-on-april-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/17/japan-gets-niconico-ps4-streaming-on-april-30/#comments
PlayStation 4 owners in Japan will have the option to stream gameplay to Niconico, a site that lets users upload, view and share video clips, starting April 30, Sony announced (as translated by Gematsu). Those visiting the Nico Nico Super Conference 3 on April 26 and April 27 will be able to test the streaming functionality in person before it arrives via firmware update. While the two updates may not be related, the upcoming 1.70 firmware for the console brings the ability to save videos and screenshots to a USB drive.

The PS4 launched in Japan in February, selling 322,083 units in its opening weekend. According to a translation of the Niconico's website, it will begin offering free one-month trials for PS4 users shortly. The streaming service carries a monthly fee of about $5; it is unclear if the service will require a PlayStation Plus subscription as well.

OnLive launched CloudLift last month, a service that lets users stream its selection of games from capable machines to devices that wouldn't normally be able to play them - think tablets and underpowered computers. CloudLift used to cost $14.99 a month, but that subscription fee has been slashed to $7.95, presumably because price drops are awesome.

Saints Row 4, Batman: Arkham Origins and The LEGO Movie Videogame serve as highlights among Cloudlift's offerings, all of which can be streamed from Steam if you own copies of the games there. Given that your interest in Cloudlift likely depends on whether the service stands up to your expectations, you can try a free 7-day trial by finding CloudLift in the OnLive application's Market.